13th March 2016-FA Cup Sixth Round, Arsenal 1 Watford 2

Screen Shot 2018-03-13 at 09.12.54

Watford stunned FA Cup holders Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium to book their place in the semi-finals at Wembley.

Odion Ighalo and Adlene Guedioura goals dump holders out of FA Cup

It’s 4pm. We’ve opted against the scrum for the tube in favour of a leisurely walk in the sunshine back to Kings Cross. There’s a workman painting a doorway on Caledonian Road, the Kinks’ “Sunny Afternoon” rumbles out of his radio. It’s a perfect soundtrack for what is a necessary but overlooked feature of stunning days like this one… the dazed post-match taking-it-all-in thing.

Screen Shot 2017-03-13 at 19.30.11.png

The second goal was a thing of beauty. Deeney did tremendously well to hold the ball up in the box then he passed it out to Guedioura and WELLY!!! The shot nearly burst the net and would have knocked out someone in the upper tier if it had. If the first goal celebration had been joyous, this one was truly mental and, suddenly, the Watford fans started thinking that we could actually win this, and those of us who had been calling for Adlene’s replacement were left with egg on our faces.

It was no less than the Hornets deserved for what was an outstanding away-day performance, in front of an incredible 8,300+ travelling contingent, who were in fine voice throughout at the Emirates Stadium.

Watford’s joy was unfettered at the end of it all and rightly so. What a coup to accompany a promising Premier League season as a newly promoted side! Their players danced in front of the supporters after the final whistle. Even some of the home fans felt able to applaud them off, appreciative of their efforts on the day.

Leave a Reply